Victoria council rejects limit on billboards

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Proposed ordinance breakdown

Increase the separation distance between a freestanding sign and a proposed billboard to 250 feet from 200 feet; Increase the separation distance between an existing billboard and a proposed billboard to 750 feet from 500 feet; Provide for a separation of 200 feet from a residential structure measured on a radius; Require a location review be performed prior to renewal of any expired billboard permit to ensure the proposed location still meets the minimum requirements. Limit the number of billboards that are in existence at the time the ordinance is adopted. In order to place a new billboard, another existing one would first need to be removed. SOURCE: victoriatx.org

Since 2004, billboards have been a hot button issue with the Victoria City Council, and Tuesday night was no exception.

After nearly an hour of discussion and more than half-a-dozen residents' opinions, the council voted 4-2 Tuesday to reject an ordinance that would put a "cap and replace," as well as new space requirements on the billboard industry.

Mayor Will Armstrong said the issue is controversial, and applauded the planning commission for its work.

"The majority of council just isn't ready to be quite that restrictive," Armstrong said.

He voted for the ordinance with Councilman Joe Truman.

"I supported it, but on the other hand, I understand the objections and feel like there were good points made by people who didn't support it," Armstrong said.

He said he hopes the issue will be put to rest.

Garrett Middleton, who owns Middleton Outdoor Advertising, said his six-sign business would suffer by the ordinance.

About 150 more billboards in the city are owned by Lamar Advertising Co.

"I'm a new business in town and I'm trying to do something and create good will with all the organizations in town ...," he said. "I hope you would use good judgment in what ultimately the ordinance is trying to provide."

His father, Gary Middleton, said the ordinance is contrary to "how Texans operate" and would restrict free enterprise and a business' ability to grow.

However, others who spoke said the billboard ordinance can have a positive impact.

Doug Wuest, a Victoria resident, said his concerns have always centered on safety.

"Billboards are nice and they do some good services for our community," he said. "My concern is they're just like, in some form or fashion, cellphones - They draw your eyes off what you need to be doing."

He said he sees many cities moving toward cap and replace, or all out bans, of billboards. The city of Tyler requires two signs to be taken down before a new billboard can go up.

"Seeing our future covered in billboards is not the answer we want to see," he said.

Before the issue failed, Truman made a successful motion to remove the "cap and replace" wording.

"I felt like the distance prohibition would achieve the goals of the planning commission," he said.

Councilman Tom Halepaska voted against the ordinance with councilmen Emett Alvarez, David Hagan and Paul Polasek.